Exercise device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an exercise device ( 1 ), especially for balance training, comprising a base plate ( 2 ) having a first side ( 3 ) and a second side ( 4 ) opposing the first side. The first side ( 3 ) is embodied as a standing surface ( 5 ) on which the person training is to stand, and the second side ( 4 ) of the base plate ( 2 ) is rotatably or tiltably connected to a mounting plate ( 6 ). In order to enable the user to train with the use of axes, on an appliance with a simple and compact structure, the base plate ( 2 ) is connected to the mounting plate ( 6 ) by means of at least one first spring element and one second spring element ( 7, 8 ), the first and second spring elements ( 7, 8 ) being arranged preferably essentially symmetrically around a central point ( 11 ) of the base plate ( 2 ).

The invention relates to an exercise device, in particular for balance training, with a base plate having a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the first side is configured as a standing surface for an exercising person, and wherein the second side of the base plate is rotatably and/or tiltably connected to a mounting plate.

Exercise devices for balance training are known, which have a standing plate that is essentially supported to be freely tiltable and which enable free tilting or tumbling about all the body axes of a subject standing on the exercise device. Also know are exercise devices which, in addition, have so-called rockers to restrict the movement of such exercise devices. Such exercise devices generally have a complex structure and are therefore expensive to manufacture and have a high purchase price. In addition, the additional rockers can easily get lost.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an exercise device of the aforedescribed type, which obviates the aforementioned disadvantages, which has a simple and compact design, which can be inexpensively manufactured, and which supports performing a so-called axis-conforming exercise.

This is attained with the invention in that the base plate is connected to the mounting plate with at least one first and one second spring element, wherein the first and the second spring element are arranged, preferably substantially symmetrically, about a center of the base plate.

In this way, a simple a compact exercise device can be produced, which allows the base plate to be tilted about at least one axis without requiring complex and complicated support for the base plate, which enables a subject to exercise this single body axis. The subject can tilt the base plate perpendicular to the spring elements, whereby this tilt motion is damped by the spring stiffness of the spring elements. Moreover, the spring elements provide a return force which tends to return the base plate from a first dead center into a horizontal rest position. Such exercise device can be easily and inexpensively produced and provides advantageous exercising possibilities in spite of the simple construction of the support for the base plate.

In another embodiment of the invention, the base plate may be connected to the mounting plate with a first, a second, a third and a fourth spring element. In this way, the axis-conform exercise can be extended to two additional axes. This extends the functionality of the exercise device, while retaining the simplicity of the construction and of the arrangement, respectively. This increases the tendency of the base plate to return to the horizontal equilibrium position and hence simplifies the training exercise, because the additional spring elements increase the counter pressure against the excursion of the base plate effected by the subject.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one first rolling element may be arranged on the second side. In this way, the tilt motion of the base plate caused by the subject can be controlled by the subject, thereby supporting safe and focused training. Through selection of the rolling contour of the first rolling element, the force required for generating an excursion or tilt of the base plate can be designed to depend on the excursion angles, for example in that the base plate can, in the region close to its horizontal rest position, be moved from this position by applying a smaller force than the force that would be required to additionally tilt an already severely tilted base plate. The same concept can also be applied in reverse, so that the base plate reacts in the region about its rest position “less wobbly” than in the regions of severe tilt.

In this context, according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one first rolling element may be arranged essentially in the region of at least one center of the base plate. Particularly advantageous exercising can be attained with such symmetry, which results in a consistent and harmonic body exercise.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the at least one first rolling element may have only one preferred first rolling direction. This approach can further support the so-called axis-conform training. This balancing exercise of the body about only one body axis has proven to be particularly advantageous.

According to a variant of the invention, the first rolling direction may extend, preferably symmetrically, between two adjacent spring elements. This further supports axis-conform training because the two spring elements arranged symmetrically about the rolling element evenly stabilizes the base plate, which very efficiently neutralizes an unintentional tilt of the base plate in a motion direction different from the training axis. This results in a particularly advantageous balancing exercise.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a second rolling element with a preferred second rolling direction may be provided, wherein the second rolling direction is oriented essentially normal with respect to the first rolling direction. A second body axis can then be exercised without requiring the subject to change his/her position on the base plate.

According to a further improvement of the invention, the first and the second rolling element may be constructed as a single piece, and may together form a cross-shaped convex rolling element. In this way, a rolling element with a particularly simple design can be produced, which supports training about two body axes, which has at the same time high inherent stability and stiffness, thereby enabling immediate and direct training without delay, without having to produce a force at each change in the movement for twisting the exercise device.

According to another possible embodiment, the excursion of the first roller and/or the second element may be adjusted essentially normal with respect to the second side. In this way, a degree of difficulty can be attained when performing the exercises on an exercise device of the invention. This can also be used to adjust the strength of the return and/or damping effect provided by the spring elements. Increasing the excursion can introduce a pre-bias in the spring elements, which may affect their spring characteristic.

In this context, according to a further improvement of the invention, at least one first threaded drive for adjusting the excursion may be provided. In this way, a particularly simple, precise and permanent setting can be attained, which can also be performed by subjects having less technical aptitude, allowing such group of persons to make adjustments.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one spring element maybe constructed as a coil spring. In this way, a permanent configuration having long-term stability can be attained, making it also suitable, in particular, for heavyweight subjects, so that it can withstand continuous daily use over many years in a rehabilitation facility or a fitness center.

According to a variant of the invention, at least one spring element may include a rubber-elastic material, in particular an elastomer. In this way, particularly simple and cost-effective embodiments can be provided. Uniform and homogeneous spring elements can be produced which are free from periodically narrowing gaps, thereby eliminating the risk of contusions or pinching. Exercise devices configured in this manner are particularly suited for or around small children or disabled persons, because these persons have a high risk of injury.

According to a further improvement of the invention, at least one spring element may be pre-biased in at least one region. In this way, the return force or the response of the spring elements can be adapted to the exercise regimen or exercise progress of a subject. In this way, the difficulty of the exercises can be steadily increased due to improved ability to handle the exercise device.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings which merely illustrate preferred exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of an exercise device according to the invention in a vertical cross-section;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section taken along the line AA according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of an exercise device according to the invention in a vertical cross-section;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section taken along the line BB according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a third preferred embodiment of an exercise device according to the invention in a vertical cross-section;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section taken along the line CC according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section taken along the line DD according to FIG. 5 with a first preferred embodiment of a rolling element;

FIG. 8 shows a second preferred embodiment of a rolling element;

FIG. 9 shows a third preferred embodiment of a rolling element;

FIG. 10 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of an exercise device according to the invention in a vertical cross-section;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section taken along the line EE according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a detail F of FIG. 5,

FIG. 13 shows a fifth preferred embodiment of an exercise device according to the invention in a vertical cross-section;

FIG. 14 shows a detail G of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows a first embodiment of an exchangeable spring element; and

FIG. 16 shows a second embodiment of an exchangeable spring element.

FIGS. 1 to 11 show an exercise device 1, in particular for balance training, with a base plate 2 having a first side 3 and an opposing second side 4, wherein the first side 3 is constructed as a standing surface 5 for an exercising person, and wherein the second side 4 of the base plate 2 is rotatably and/or tiltably connected to a mounting plate 6, wherein the base plate 2 is connected to the mounting plate 6 with at least one first and one second spring element 7, 8, wherein the first and the second spring element 7, 8 are arranged, preferably substantially symmetrically, about a center 11 of the base plate 2.

In this manner, a simple and compact exercise device 1 can be produced, which allows the base plate to tilt about at least one axis without complicated and expensive support of the base plate, and which allows a subject to exercise this body axis. The subject can hereby tilt the base plate 2 perpendicular to the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10. The tilt motion is damped by the spring stiffness of the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10, with the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 having the tendency to return the base plate 2 from a first dead center to a horizontal rest position. Such exercise device 1 can also be rotated by a torque generated by the subject, which causes some buckling the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10. Such exercise device 1 can be manufactured easily and cost-effectively and exhibits a particularly good exercise characteristic in spite of the simple construction of the support for the base plate 2.

Exercise devices 1 according to the invention have at least one base plate 2 which can be configured as a standing plate for at least one subject. The base plate 2 is preferably implemented as a substantially circular plate, but can also have other polygonal and/or round shapes, for example as an elliptical, or an irregular, in particular also a convex-concave connection of a plurality of conic intersecting lines, a square and/or an irregular polygon. The base plate 2 is constructed, as far as the selection of the material and the wall thickness is concerned, for loads representing a human subject. Preferably, the base plate is made of wood and/or a plastic material, in particular pressed wood, plywood, MDF, multiplex plates and/or plastic plates, whereby composite materials can also be employed. In addition, the base plate 2 may include at least one metal. Particularly advantageous embodiments of exercise device system 1 according to the invention have a base plate 2 which is formed of an approximately 15 mm thick MDF plate and has preferably a surface covered with plastic foil to make it nonslip at least in certain areas.

The base plate 2 has preferably a support surface allowing a subject to stand with his/her feet spaced apart by at least 30 cm. In the preferred circular embodiments of an exercise device 1 according to the invention, the base plate 2 may have a diameter between 25 cm and 60 cm, in particular between 30 cm and 50 cm.

The support plate 6 connected to the base plate 2 may be constructed similar to the base plate 2, whereby in particular essentially identical dimensions and materials as for the base plate 2 can be used. Alternatively, the support plate 6 can be constructed different from the base plate 2. To make it more difficult to remove the exercise device 1 and to increase the stability of those exercise devices 1 that are predominantly used stationarily, for example in fitness studios, schools or rehabilitation centers, the support plate 6 may be constructed particularly massive and/or heavy by including, for example, a metal plate made with steel, bronze and/or lead, and/or concrete.

According to the invention, an exercise device 1 has at least one first and one second spring element 7, 8 which connect the base plate 2 with the support plate 6. These spring elements 7, 8 can be implemented as or include any type of resilient element. In particular for exercise devices 1 intended for permanent long-term operation, for example for daily use over years in a rehabilitation facility or a fitness center and/or which must be adapted to support heavyweight subjects (so-called “heavy-duty” models), at least one spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 can be implemented as a coil spring 19. Any type of coil spring 19 can be used, for example a cylindrical and/or a barrel-shaped coil spring. Preferably, the coil springs 19 may include or be formed of steel, whereby also coil springs 19 made of other materials, in particular metals, but also composite materials such as GFK, CFK, diolene fibers and/or aramide fibers can be used.

In another embodiment, at least one spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 can include a rubber-elastic material, in particular an elastomer. A coil spring 19 may also be sheathed or surrounded by an elastomer, an elastomer may be arranged in a cavity of a coil spring 19, but alternatively also at least one spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 may be formed by an elastomer without coil springs 19, whereby additional components, for example a connection between the spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 and the base plate 2 and the support plate 6 can be provided, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 15 and 16. Any type of elastomer can be used, wherein particularly at least one spring element 7, 8, 9, includes rubber, natural rubber, styrole-butadien rubber, polychloroprene rubber, acrynitrile-butadien rubber, acrylate rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorinated rubber, compressible and pourable polyurethane rubber, and/or other thermo-plastically processable elastomers. In particular, the corresponding elastomer can also be supplied in a state where it is expanded at least in certain regions. With the formation of at least the outer skin of at least one, in particularly all, spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 that include an elastomer, uniform and homogeneous spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 can be produced that are free of periodically narrowing gaps, thereby eliminating the danger for contusions and pinching. Exercise devices 1 configured in this way are particularly suited for use by or near small children and persons with disabilities, because these persons have a high risk of injury. In addition, such exercise devices 1 can be easily and cost-effectively produced.

At least one damping element can be provided, which is arranged in particular parallel to at least one spring element 7, 8, 9, 10, thereby damping movement of the subject by requiring the subject to overcome a greater resistance. However, the generally inherent damping of the spring elements makes it usually unnecessary to install a separate damping element.

The at least two spring elements 7, 8 may be arranged about a center 11 of the base plate 2, whereby the at least two spring elements 7, 8 may be arranged symmetrically about the center 11 of the base plate 2. The center 11 of the base plate 2 can be any center 11 of the base plate 2. In particular, the center 11 can be the two-dimensional center and/or the center of mass of the base plate 2. Alternatively, the center 11 can be the incenter of the circle and/or the center of a circumscribed circle of the base plate 2, if such center exists for the given geometrical shape.

The base plate 2 is connected to the support plate 6 with at least two spring elements 7, 8. Any type of connection of the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 with the support plate 6 and/or the base plate 2 can be used. In particular, at least one spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 can be glued, riveted and/or screwed to the support plate 6 and/or the base plate 2, as indicated in FIGS. 15 and 16, whereby the at least one spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 has a first and a second thread 23, 24. Either separately threaded pieces which are connected to the corresponding spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 can be provided, or the first and/or the second thread 23, 24 can be arranged directly on the spring element 7, 8, 9, 10, if permitted by the material of the spring element 7, 8, 9, 10.

In order to adapt the return force, or the response, of the spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 to the exercising habits or the exercising progress of the subject, at least one spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 can be pretensioned over at least one region. In this way, the exercise can progress to greater difficulty with improved handling of the exercise device 1. Such pretension can be achieved, for example, by a cable extending transversely through the spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 from the base plate 2 to the support plate 6, wherein the tension can be adjusted, for example, with a pretensioning screw.

The return force or the response of the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 can also be adapted to the exercising habits or exercising progress of a subject by making the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 exchangeable. In this way, different spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 with different material characteristics, in particular different Shore hardness, can be exchanged. FIG. 15 shows a first preferred embodiment of an exchangeable spring element 7, 8, 9, 10. The spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 has a first and a second thread 23, 24, whereby the diameter of the first thread 23 is smaller than the diameter of the spring element 7, 8, 9, 10, which again has a smaller diameter than the second thread 24. In this way, the spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 can be inserted through the second threaded hole 26 into the base plate 2. The first thread 23 can be simultaneously threaded into the first threaded hole 25 and the second thread 24 can be threaded into the second threaded hole 26, thereby connecting the base plate 2 with the support plate 6. The first and the second thread 23, 24 can be configured as right-handed or left-handed thread, whereby the first and the second thread 23, 24 have the same direction, i.e., both the first and the second thread 23, 24 are either right-handed or left-handed.

FIG. 16 shows a second preferred embodiment of an exchangeable spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 with a first thread 23 and a second thread 24, wherein the first thread 23 has a different threading direction than the second thread 24, so that the first thread 23 is implemented, for example as a right-handed thread and the second thread is implemented as a left-handed thread, or vice versa. With this configuration, a spring element 7, 8, 9, 10 can be positioned between the base plate 4 and the support plate 6 and screwed into both the first and the second threaded hole, thereby connecting the base plate and the support plate.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a particularly simple embodiment of an exercise device 1 according to the invention with two spring elements 7, 8. However, any number of spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 can be provided. Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base plate 2 can be connected to the support plate 6 with a first, a second, a third and a fourth spring element 7, 8, 9, 10, making possible an axes-conform body balance training about two body axes without requiring the subject to change position. All embodiments described for the first and/or the second spring element 7, 8 can also be provided for the other spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10.

To guide the tilt motion of the base plate 2 caused by the subject and to support a safe and focused exercise, the second side can have at least one first rolling element 12.

The rolling element 12 is here preferably an element with a curved shape suitable for rolling. Advantageously, the at least one first rolling element 12 can have only one preferred first rolling direction 13, as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 11. Such rolling elements 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 12, have a so-called rolling curve, but are planar normal to the rolling curve and have sufficient width to effectively prevent tilting normal to the rolling direction 13.

FIGS. 5 to 9 show an exercise device 1 with such first rolling element 12 in different embodiments and views. The first rolling element 12 can be arranged at any location on the second side 4, wherein in particular the at least one first rolling element 12 is arranged essentially in the region of at least one center 11 of the base plate 2. Preferably, the first rolling direction 13 extends preferably symmetrically between two adjacent spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 to allow particularly smooth axes-conforming training.

Through suitable selection of the unrolling contour of the first rolling element 12, the force required for excursion or tilting of the base plate can be designed to depend on the excursion angles. For example, the base plate 2 may be moved in the region of an initially horizontal rest position from this position with less force and therefore react more “wobbly” than if the base plate 2 were further tilted from an already strongly tilted position, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8. The same can also be implemented in the opposite way, in that the base plate 2 reacts less “wobbly” in the region about the rest position than in regions with strong tilt, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9. According to the invention, the unrolling contour of the first rolling element 12 can have any shape, for example in form of conic intersecting lines and/or evolutes, in particular parabola and/or spherical curves, as shown in FIG. 7, as well as varied shapes, for example conic torus sections. Moreover, a locally tight space about the horizontal rest position may be configured as a rotational body, to support rotation of the base plate 2, as described below with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment, wherein the first rolling element 12 does not reach the support plate 6 when the base plate 2 is not loaded, because the excursion 17 of the first rolling element 12, which is oriented essentially normal to the second side 4, is smaller than the standard distance between the base plate 2 and the support plate 6 in the non-loaded state, while the second side 4 and the opposite surface of the support plate 6 are oriented parallel. The first rolling element 12 can be pushed against the support plate 6 by putting weight on the base plate 2, which acts like a pretension of the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10.

Advantageously, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the excursion 17 of the first rolling element 12 can be adjustable essentially normal to the second side 4. The excursion can then be smaller than the standard distance between the base plate 2 and the support plate 6 in the non-loaded state. However, the first rolling element 12 may also be pressed against the support plate 6, thereby pretensioning the spring elements 7, 8, 9, 10 in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 12 shows a possible embodiment of such adjustment mechanism, wherein a first threaded drive 18 is provided for adjusting the excursion 17. The first rolling element 12 is non-rotatably guided in the base plate 2, and the excursion 17 of the first rolling element 12 can be adjusted essentially normal with respect to the second side 4 by operating the screw 20 accessible on the standing surface 5.

Advantageously, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, an exercise device 1 can have a second rolling element 14 with a preferred second rolling direction 15, wherein the second rolling direction 15 is oriented essentially normal with respect to the first rolling direction 13. In this way, the advantages provided by the first rolling element 12 for the exercise can be advantageously utilized for training a second body axis. All embodiments described for the first rolling element 12 can, of course, also be provided for the additional rolling elements 14, whereby more than two rolling elements 12, 14 can be provided.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrated a particularly advantageous embodiment wherein the first and the second rolling element 12 and 14 are implemented as a single piece and together form a cross-shaped convex rolling element 16. In this way, a particularly simple rolling element 16 can be produced, which supports training about two body axes, while at the same time having a high inherent stability and stiffness, which allows immediate, delay-free and direct exercises, without requiring to produce a force for twisting the exercise device 1 at each change in the movement. In particular with exercise devices 1 which permit adjustment of the excursion 17 of the first and/or the second rolling element 12, 14 essentially normal with respect to the second side 4, a completely identical adjustment of all rolling elements 12, 14 can be attained with the one-piece construction of the first rolling element 12, 14.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fifth preferred embodiment of an exercise device 1 according to the invention. A convex central element 21 is arranged at the intersection of the cross-shaped convex rolling element 16, which is preferably implemented as a partial sphere; however, other shapes are also contemplated which allow and/or positively support rotation and rolling. This convex central element 21 supports and guides a rotational motion of the base plate 2. Advantageously, a convex recess 22 is arranged in the support plate 6, which preferably has the shape of the rolling curve, meaning the involute of the convex central element.

For controlling and monitoring the exercises, a tilt sensor, a velocity sensor and/or an acceleration sensor can be provided for recording the tilt, velocity and/or acceleration at least of the base plate 2, as well as at least one computer for evaluating the tilt, velocity and/or acceleration, and/or for, preferably graphic, presetting a training program, by which the execution of a presettable training program can be controlled and monitored. Moreover, these measurements and the computer can be used to determine and store a so-called body stability index, which can be compared during the exercise, allowing a measurement of the success of an exercise. It can then be determined when a subject becomes proficient in exercise and can advance to the next, more demanding exercise.

In the context of the present invention, each combination of features and embodiments, in particular also of the different described embodiments is contemplated. 

1.-13. (canceled)
 14. An exercise device, comprising: a mounting plate; a base plate having a center, a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the first side of the base plate is constructed as a standing surface for an exercising person and the second side of the base plate is rotatably or tiltably, or both; at least one first and at least one second spring element arranged around the center of the base plate and connecting the base plate to the mounting plate; at least one first rolling element arranged on the second side of the base plate substantially near the center of the base plate and having a first rolling direction; a second rolling element having a second rolling direction oriented essentially normal with respect to the first rolling direction, wherein the first and the second rolling element are constructed as a single piece and together form a cross-shaped convex rolling element; and a convex center element arranged at an intersection point of the cross-shaped convex rolling element.
 15. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the exercise device supports balance training of a subject.
 16. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the at least one first and second spring element are arranged substantially symmetrically about the center.
 17. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the convex center element is formed as a partial sphere.
 18. The exercise device of claim 14, further comprising a convex receptacle arranged in the mounting plate.
 19. The exercise device of claim 18, wherein the convex receptacle has a shape of a rolling curve of the convex center element.
 20. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the base plate is connected to the mounting plate with more than two spring elements.
 21. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein the base plate is connected to the mounting plate with four spring elements.
 22. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein the first rolling direction extends between two adjacent spring elements.
 23. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein the first rolling direction extends symmetrically between two adjacent spring elements.
 24. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein an excursion of at least one of the first rolling element and the second element is adjustable substantially normal with respect to the second side.
 25. The exercise device of claim 24, further comprising at least one first threaded drive for adjusting the excursion.
 26. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second spring element is constructed as a coil spring.
 27. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second spring element comprises a rubber-elastic material.
 28. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the rubber-elastic material is an elastomer.
 29. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second spring elements is configured to be pre-biased in at least one region. 